Sunday, July 31, 2016

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

I will enclose in an e-mail another Parent Contact List with the names, city,
e-mail and cell phones of parents of 2016 Devil Pup Candidates. If
unforeseen problems arise making your arrival at graduation late or
impossible, this list can be used to contact another parent in your area
who may be able to help with transportation. Keep in mind that some
parents are scheduling vacations to coincide with graduation and may not
be returning directly to St. George.

Departure

2:00 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) early Thursday morning, July 21,
2016 (that's night time between Wednesday night and Thursday morning);
arrive at Cinema 6 parking lot on Main Street, 905 South Main Street,
St. George (next to Temple View Trailer Park).

White T-shirt, jeans, belt and tennies. No skinny jeans!!

Bring your bag with the two strips of masking tape and your
name on the tape. Also bring a hoodie for warmth on the trip and at
Camp Pendleton where nights and early mornings are chilly. We will take "before" photos
before departure.

When parents travel to Southern California/Camp Pendleton for
graduation, remember the one hour time difference between Utah and
SoCalif.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Devil Pups, get as much rest as you can on Wednesday, July
20, because between that night and Thursday morning at O-Dark-Thirty, you will
need to meet Bryce for departure for Devil Pup camp.You will drive all night to arrive at camp
around 8:30 a.m. in California and it's non-stop all day.There will likely only be cat naps on the
van, so get what rest you can on Wednesday.You will not have rest until the first day of camp is over Thursday
evening.You will have Marines yelling in
your ears the moment you arrive!

Be aware of any night time roadwork happening on your route
to the theaters on Main Street - we almost left without a late pup one
year.Be sure to wear a plain white
T-shirt, jeans (did you get the message about "NO skinny jeans"????),
belt, tennies and have your hoodie with you for comfort on the van.It'll be OK to bring snacks, water, etc.
(although there will be stops along the way) but anything left over will have
to remain on the van.There will be a
breakfast stop which SoUtah Devil Pups pays for.

Remember if you want to take a cell phone, it will be locked up in your
locker for the 10 day camp period.Best not to take a cell. No
medications are allowed; don't even take aspirin.

Also please learn from Pups from years past:

Remember sunscreen; it is often forgotten but is VERY
necessary.

Go over your ready bag/duffle two or three times to make
sure you have everything on the required list.

Your padlock, envelopes, etc. Make sure you have your envelope with your money folded in
your left back pocket.

We leave on Thursday 21 July at 0200 (that's 2:00 o'clock in the morning) (time to be verified at a later date) at the parking lot of
the movie theater on Main Street (Megaplex Theaters at 905 So. Main).That's across the street behind the K-Mart
shopping center.

Upon arrival at camp, be prepared to be yelled at, told to run here, run there - do what they say as fast as you can!!! You WILL be asked to "speak up."

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Click on THIS LINK TO FIND DIRECTIONS TO THE PARADE GROUND for graduation. Please note that graduation begins promptly at 12 noon on Saturday, July 30. You will need to get there early to find parking (there will be signs along the way directing you to Devil Pups) and to find your place to sit. Please observe the rather strict and rather slow speed limits on base. And remember that just arriving at the gate at Camp Pendleton is only the beginning - it is a HUGE military base and you may drive another 30 minutes to get to the parade ground.

Eagles in blue shirts will have a list of the pups and their platoons and can direct you where to sit so you will be close to your pup's platoon.

You will get a letter from your pup with a form that will get you onto the base. If directions differ from these posted here, follow the Devil Pup letter as that comes from Devil Pup headquarters. If you are inviting extra guests (no limit), please copy the letter your pup sent for them to show as they approach the gate at Camp Pendleton. Security is higher than usual these days.

I will soon be publishing a list of contact numbers for pups' parents just in case there is an emergency at the last minute and you need to call someone to get your pup home from camp. If anyone has an issue with having your information disclosed in this manner, please let me know asap.

Above is shown the Reviewing Stand where Sgt. Lewis will be. ALL PUPS AND PARENTS ARE TO MEET US IN FRONT OF THE REVIEWING STAND IMMEDIATELY AFTER GRADUATION. It's a little crazy with all kinds of people milling around, but you know what we look like!!

Please do not forget this. We need to know everyone has a safe ride home, we "need" photos of family groups, etc., so please remember everyone - DO NOT LEAVE CAMP PENDLETON until you have checked out with us in front of the Reviewing Stand. Braxston's dad and mom will be taking photos for us this year. Please get your family group together so we can record your happy faces.

Friday, July 1, 2016

Congratulations to Les Covey and Billion Johnston for their hard work and dedication to the Southern Utah Devil Pup program - they have been appointed Liaison Reps for our program. For their official status and contact info, go to THIS LINK, drill down to Utah, and give them a High Five next time you see them. Thanks, Les and Billion!!

DEVIL PUP FORMS

What is Devil Pups?

Devil Pups is an non-profit organization designed to help boys and girls from all backgrounds gain self-confidence and learn to take responsibility for their actions. Devil Pups is not a Marine Corps sponsored program. The program is not a “mini boot camp” para-military or recruiting organization for the Marine Corps. Encampment Commanders are employees of Devil Pups, Inc. Devil Pups Web Site

TESTIMONIALS

From the parent of a 2011 Devil Pup sent from St. George:

Mark was in Platoon 4 last year in August.I am writing to say I would like to donate $100.00 to help a candidate go to camp this year.In case you’re curious, Mark is still on track.Doing great in school, volunteering and showing great leadership in school and at home.Here are a few pictures of Mark at his first ROTC competition earlier this year, Mark was the only one in the whole squad (including his squad leader) that the inspector could not find anything to call him out on.We all held our breath as the inspector reviewed Mark for an extended period of time trying to find something out of place.Then, reluctantly, the inspector congratulated Mark and moved on to the next cadet.We were so proud of him and were reminded that day that his confidence and discipline were also part of what he brought home from camp last year.As we come upon a year now in August, he is still showing the Devil Pups DVD to his peers and family, discussing things he learned and appreciated about going to camp.Actually, as a family we all learned a lot last year, we bonded through the camp experience and learned how to better support Mark with his goals.We gained understanding of Mark's determination and watched him transform into an even more responsible and determined young man in just 10 days time.Thank you again, for all you did last year and all you do for the Devil Pup program.

From a father and doctor in San Diego: We can't thank your organization enough for what you did for our son. What took place in 10 days is nothing short of a miracle. Our son had low self-esteem and his response to anything was "I can't." He wouldn't try riding a skateboard, wouldn't do his homework and he was constantly late for school. His GPA was 1.5. When he returned from Devil Pups the following took place: - He asked us to buy him a skateboard - he now rides every day. - He took up surfing, is up every day at 5 a.m. to surf before school. - He joined the high school cross [country] team and is now bringing home trophies . . . . this is from a kid who would have nothing to do with sports. We sent you a defeated kid and you returned us a beautiful, courageous young man.

Unsolicited letter excerpts from a 2010 16 year old Devil Pup named Emily [in her words]: Devil Pups is not for everyone, it takes a certain person who is willing to step out of their comfort zone and do things that most people never even have the opportunity to try. . . . Do not think this camp was easy, there was never a time where I was not putting all I had into whatever I was doing. Every event was nerve-racking and scary; we all learned that 'pain is weakness leaving the body' and learned to live by it. . . . At Devil Pups, things are done that are not part of ones every day life. Whether it is climbing the 35-foot ladder to jump the 35-foot drop, or running 5-1/2 miles in the deep sand, it takes a certain pup to succeed. Many new virtues are obtained through this program, virtues including integrity, courage, teamwork, endurance, decisiveness, and judgment. After climbing Ole Smokey and completing the Marine Corps obstacle course, I have been able to see that there really is no "I" in "team." . . . Through Devil Pups I have learned that one does not go somewhere hoping to succeed, but brings success with them because it is bread within them. . . . Many do not make it to the day all pups are awaiting, graduation day. To graduate from this ten-day program, the only way out is to 'train or go home.' There are no mistakes made, if one occurs, the phone is picked up and mommy is called. Devil Pups taught me, if you do whatever is supposed to be done, the way it is supposed to be done, then there is no such thing as failure. Because of the Devil Pups program, the word 'failure' no longer exists in my vocabulary. . . . Devil Pups helped me to become a better leader and build my own confidence and self esteem. . . . A winner is able to make a mistake and say, "I was wrong" when a loser makes a mistake and casually says, "It was not my fault." . . . Devil Pups motto, "Growth Through Challenge" truly depicts what a great program it really is. Its main goal is to give young children ages 14-17 the leadership and courage building skills to accomplish anything they want in life. . . . The Devil Pups program has showed me that I truly can do or be whatever I want as long as I am willing to work hard. Nothing great comes easy; one must work hard for the things that are important to them in life.

I can tell you that the lessons learned during my time with the Pups helped in providing a strong foundation for my future endeavors. Building character is one of the greatest attributes of the Devil Pup experience. It is character that is the core of the individual; it will determine the type of human being that will go out into the world.

Now to nurture this quality in 14 to 17 year olds is no easy task I assure you, as I have had the experience of having worked with young people for the better part of my professional career. However, the Devil Pups have been able to cull the knowledge of its members, incorporate the discipline of the Marines, to create a program of excellence for the youth of today. Developing strong leadership skills has long been a focal point of the Devil Pups organization... and it will remain so, because this organization realizes the importance of good leaders. It isn’t that these young people are molded into what we feel they should be. Instead, the Devil Pups gives them the confidence to believe in themselves, and their ideas. Our society has benefited, in more ways than what I have mentioned here because of the Devil Pup organization. Their impact is undeniable on the lives of the individuals that were fortunate enough to take part. I am certainly beholden to this organization for their efforts